NORTH SOUND, APRIL 4: The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is underway, and this Saturday and Sunday will be the first weekend of the event. Here are some tips if you plan to attend this popular event that runs until the end of this month.
Weather
Saturday is by far the best day to visit the festival this weekend. Temperatures will feel spring-like, warming into the lower to mid-60s. Sunshine will start the day but anticipate higher clouds to spread into the valley before sundown.
The incoming clouds are associated with an approaching Pacific frontal system that will spread rain into the valley on Sunday. Highs then will be around 60. Always be ready with proper footwear when visiting the fields of color.
Bloom Status
Quoted from the festival’s website, here is the bloom status. “The tulips are in their early bloom stage, just beginning to show color, and with the warm weather forecasted for the week of 4/2, their vibrant hues will continue to emerge more each day.”
Locations, Activities and Crowds
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival includes a variety of locations that offer not only the brilliant color of the tulips but also local attractions and activities for the whole family. The festival suggests when driving to use SR 20 from I-5 and follow the signs to the various festival locations.
The festival has a suite of events throughout the month. Visit https://tulipfestival.org/events/ for the complete list of activities. An interactive map showing all the festival sites is also available.
Weekends are by far the busiest with crowds. If going on a Saturday or Sunday, arrive early. Weekdays offer fewer crowds.
I-5 Construction
Another thing to be aware of is ongoing road construction just south of the Stanwood interchange on I-5. An expansive fish passage project just got underway last month and the freeway is down to two lanes in both directions with a reduced speed limit.
This construction area is quite likely to suffer significant traffic backups. If planning to use I-5, be prepared for delays in both directions.
There is an alternative to I-5 to circumvent the construction and it can be considered a scenic route. When heading north on I-5, take the SR 530 exit at Arlington and head west on Pioneer Hwy. Some call it old Hwy 99 as it moves through Silvana, Stanwood and returns to I-5 at the Conway roundabout just off the freeway. From there, you can choose to rejoin I-5 or follow the road to Conway which offers another way to the festival venues.
When returning and heading back south, again use the Conway exit off I-5 and drive south on Pioneer Way (old Hwy 99). The road will return you to I-5 at the SR 530/Arlington interchange.
Tickets
There are five spectacular tulip gardens, and each has its own admission tickets. For advance tickets to any of these five venues, visit https://tulipfestival.org/garden-tickets/. Walk-up tickets are also available upon visiting any venue as well.
If visiting this year’s Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, enjoy the stunning variety of color that nature has to offer. Oh, and the daffodils are wonderful too!
